Ajo surprised by Marquez’s debut performances

Aki Ajo was team boss to Marc Marquez when the Spaniard clinched the 125 world crown in 2010. Despite being aware of his former rider’s ability, the Finn admits that he has been surprised by his impressive MotoGP™ class debut with Repsol Honda Team.

Marquez debuted in the 125 tier in 2008, going on to clinch the title two years later. Since then, he has also lifted the Moto2 crown as well as celebrating one race victory, two pole positions and four fastest laps across his maiden six MotoGP weekends.

"Marc is a special, special rider," Ajo begins. "He will always have a place in my heart. I will never forget that year in which I worked with him; we will always be good friends and when I see him I get a good feeling. Marc is very, very special.

"He's very talented. When he was 16 I met him and he talked like a man of 35 or 40 years old. He has something special. He also has some things that are necessary in this world, including some luck and the hunger for hard work and victories; he is always looking for those aspects that can be improved to be stronger. He never gives up."

Despite his high praise for the now 20-year-old Spaniard, Ajo admits that he has been taken aback by Marquez’s success so far in the premier class.

"I have to admit that yes, it has (surprised me)," he continued. "I had hoped that he would obtain very good results, but maybe not as good as he is doing. Sometimes people say he is a bit too enthusiastic, but I think Marc is aware of the role that he is playing this year. Everybody says he has to be calmer and not make mistakes, but sometimes I think: he is rookie and can make mistakes because, if you work to find your limit, mistakes can happen. I accept that."

With the exception of the Italian Grand Prix, in which he crashed out of second place with only a handful of laps to run, Marquez has finished on the podium at every Grand Prix so far this year. He clinched pole position in both Texas and Le Mans.